![]() “Our leaders want to create a culture of evangelism in the association, and Crossover, followed closely by other outreach events in succeeding weeks will help do that.”įor churches and volunteers interested in working with a church plant in the New Orleans area with which they can build a long-term partnership, Crossover is partnering with the efforts of City Uprising, June 13-16. “Our churches are becoming well trained in evangelism and will lead the way in reaching our communities through Crossover events,” said Hunter. Local church leaders see Crossover as an opportunity for Southern Baptists to converge and help galvanize New Orleans churches in their evangelism efforts throughout the city. Crossover will raise the visibility of those new churches. Southern Baptists in New Orleans plan to launch four new churches in 2012, with two of those launched during Crossover and the SBC. The North American Mission Board is working with the local Crossover coordinating team to provide volunteers with opportunities to share the love of Christ as they participate in block parties, health screenings, prayerwalking, servant evangelism outreach projects and church planting. It’s made a difference and this research really shows that.” “They’ve been moved by the attention and care that Southern Baptists have given. ![]() ![]() “New Orleans pays more attention to the spiritual world than ever before,” said Hebert. But a majority said they would love to attend a Bible study or prayer meeting if someone would just invite them. “And about 75 percent of the total population can’t tell you how to go to heaven. “Our research also shows us that almost 50 percent of the people in New Orleans have never had anyone tell them how they can go to heaven,” said John Hebert, director of missions and ministry for LBC. “Now, if you mention Calvary everyone knows where it is because that’s where they got water, food and help from Southern Baptist Disaster Relief.”Īll this awareness, though, places a greater burden on Southern Baptists to use the opportunity to its fullest. “Calvary Baptist Church, where I pastored for years, is the most visible church on the west bank of New Orleans but no one knew where we were,” said Keith Manuel, evangelism associate for the LBC. “And Southern Baptist work is still going as New Orleans is reborn.” “Southern Baptists were here with us when we were recovering and mourning with us when we were getting back on our feet,” said Hunter, who served as a lawyer in the city until more recently entering the ministry. ![]() The most surprising and encouraging of these findings was that residents favor Southern Baptists above any other faith group. A recent study suggests the city also has a new attitude toward Christians-Southern Baptists especially.Īccording to the study, conducted by Turner Research for the Louisiana Baptist Convention (LBC), New Orleans residents are open to door-to-door visitation, street evangelism and coming to church if invited. In city government, in education and in economic stability, New Orleans has a new heart. More than 50 volunteers took part in Crossover Tucson 2011 events sponsored by the church. Sabino Road Baptist Church Student Pastor Ron Marlin (far right) prepares volunteers from the church and four states (Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas) to go into neighborhoods around the church inviting residents to VBS and other events hosted by Sabino Road. “But for the most part we’ve gotten beyond Katrina and we’re now in a rebuilding mode.” “We all have our Katrina stories,” said Jack Hunter, executive director for the New Orleans Baptist Association and a lifetime resident of the city.
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